Fluid spraying apparatuses, and related systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to fluid spraying apparatuses, and related systems and methods. The disclosed fluid spraying apparatuses may be used, for example, to spray a medically suitable fluid on a target region of a subject, such as for treating or removing tissue of the subject. In an embodiment, a fluid spraying apparatus includes a spray mechanism including at least one reservoir, and a spraying device operably coupled to the at least one reservoir which has an adjustable spray nozzle. The fluid spraying apparatus includes a distance sensor configured to sense information at least related to a distance to a target region of a subject and output one or more signals encoding the information, and control electrical circuitry operably coupled to the spray mechanism and the distance sensor. The control electrical circuitry is configured to activate the spray mechanism responsive to receiving the one or more signals.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to fluid spraying apparatuses,and related systems and methods. The disclosed fluid sprayingapparatuses include at least one distance sensor and a spray mechanismthat is controllable responsive to sensing feedback from the at leastone distance sensor and other optional sensor(s). The disclosed fluidspraying apparatuses may be used, for example, to spray a medicallysuitable fluid on a target region of a subject, such as for treating orremoving tissue from a subject.

In an embodiment, a fluid spraying apparatus includes a spray mechanismincluding at least one reservoir, and a spraying device operably coupledto the at least one reservoir which has an adjustable spray nozzle. Thefluid spraying apparatus includes a distance sensor configured to senseinformation at least related to a distance to a target region of asubject and output one or more signals encoding the information, andcontrol electrical circuitry operably coupled to the spray mechanism andthe distance sensor. The control electrical circuitry is configured toactivate the spray mechanism responsive to receiving the one or moresignals.

In an embodiment, a method of adjusting a spray mechanism of a fluidspraying apparatus is disclosed. The method includes sensing, with adistance sensor, information at least related to a distance to a targetregion of a subject. The method further includes at least partiallybased on the information, adjusting the spray mechanism. The methodadditional includes spraying fluid onto the target region from theadjusted spray mechanism.

In an embodiment, a system is disclosed. The system includes a distancesensor configured to sense information at least related to a distance toa target region of a subject and output one or more signals encoding theinformation, and a fluid spraying apparatus operably coupled to thedistance sensor. The fluid spraying apparatus includes a spray mechanismhaving at least one reservoir configured to hold fluid and a sprayingdevice operably coupled to the at least one reservoir. The sprayingdevice includes an adjustable spray nozzle. The system further includesa computer operably coupled to the spray mechanism and the distancesensor. The computer includes memory storing instructions for directlyactivating the spray mechanism responsive to receiving the one or moresignals.

The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications,generalizations, inclusions, and/or omissions of detail; consequently,the reader will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and isNOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, features, andadvantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other living subjectmatter described herein will become apparent after reading the teachingsset forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a fluid sprayingapparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the fluid spraying apparatus shown inFIG. 1 in which a distance sensor thereof includes at least one activedistance sensor according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic diagram of the fluid spraying apparatusshown in FIG. 1 in which a spray mechanism thereof includes anadjustable spray nozzle having an adjustable output orifice according toan embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a partial schematic diagram of the fluid spraying apparatusshown in FIG. 1 in which a spray mechanism includes a spray nozzleconfigured to spray droplets according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a plan view of the adjustable spray nozzle shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic diagram of the fluid spraying apparatusshown in FIG. 1 in which a heating element is provided for heating fluidheld in a reservoir of the fluid spraying apparatus according to anembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partial schematic diagram of the fluid spraying apparatusshown in FIG. 1 in which a spray mechanism and a distance sensor thereofare integrated and disposed within a delivery catheter for deployment ina subject according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a fluid sprayingapparatus that includes at least one distance sensor and a targetdesignation unit.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a fluid sprayingapparatus including a temperature sensor configured to sense atemperature of a target region.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a fluid sprayingapparatus including a plurality of reservoirs from which fluid may beselectively sprayed onto a target region of a subject.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an operating method thatmay be implemented using any of the fluid spraying apparatuses disclosedherein.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system including afluid spraying apparatus and a computer for controlling the fluidspraying apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to fluid spraying apparatuses,and related systems and methods. The disclosed fluid sprayingapparatuses include at least one distance sensor and a spray mechanismthat is controllable responsive to sensing feedback from the at leastone distance sensor and other optional sensor(s). The disclosed fluidspraying apparatuses may be used, for example, to spray a medicallysuitable fluid on a target region of a subject, such as for treating orremoving tissue from a subject during cryosurgery or pyrosurgery.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be strictlylimiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may bemade, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented herein.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a fluid sprayingapparatus 100. The fluid spraying apparatus 100 is suitable for sprayinga medically suitable fluid onto a target region of a subject for avariety of uses. For example, the sprayed fluid may be employed fortreating or removing internal or external tissue of a subject. The fluidspraying apparatus 100 includes a spray mechanism 102 having a sprayingdevice 103 with an adjustable spray nozzle 104 (e.g., an atomizingadjustable spray nozzle, a pressure-swirl spray nozzle, or othersuitable nozzle). The adjustable spray nozzle 104 includes a fluiddelivery passageway 106 extending therethrough that terminates at oneend of the adjustable spray nozzle 104 as an output orifice 108 fromwhich fluid may be sprayed.

The spray mechanism 102 of the fluid spraying apparatus 100 furtherincludes at least one reservoir 110 holding a fluid 112 therein. Forexample, the reservoir(s) disclosed herein may be a canister, a flexiblebag, a receptacle, or other suitable container for holding fluid. Thefluid 112 may include at least one of a liquid, a gas, or an aerosol. Asan example, the fluid 112 may include a cryogen or a fluid having atemperature greater than about 45° C. (i.e., a pyrofluid). Suitableexamples of cryogen include at least one of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, afluorocarbon, ethynol, or ethanol.

The reservoir 110 is in fluid communication with the fluid deliverypassageway 106 of the adjustable spray nozzle 104 via one or more fluidconduits 121 (e.g., tubing or passageways formed in a substrate). Thereservoir 110 is in fluid communication with the fluid deliverypassageway 106 of the adjustable nozzle assembly 104 such that the fluid112 may be received by the fluid delivery passageway 106 of theadjustable nozzle assembly 104 and sprayed from the output orifice 108onto a target region 114 of a subject 116, such as a human or non-humananimal subject. For example, the target region 114 may be internally orexternally located on the subject 116.

The spray mechanism 102 further includes a pump 120 operably coupled tothe reservoir 110 and control electrical circuitry 118 that functions asa controller. For example, the pump 120 may be configured as anelectronically-activated pneumatic pump, an electronically-activatedhydraulic pump, or an electronically-activated reciprocating pump (e.g.,a plunger pump or a diaphragm pump). The pump 120 is configured to pumpthe fluid 112 from the reservoir 110 to the fluid delivery passageway106 of the adjustable nozzle assembly 104 via the one or more fluidconduits 121. As will be discussed in more detail below, the controlelectrical circuitry 118 is also operably coupled to the adjustablespray nozzle 104, in addition to the pump 120, for controlling theoperation thereof.

At least one distance sensor 122 is further operably coupled to thecontrol electrical circuitry 118. For example, the distance sensor 122may be at least one of a passive distance sensor or an active distancesensor. Examples of suitable passive distance sensors include an imagesensor, such as an electronic camera, machine vision system, or othersuitable electronic imaging device. For example, such an image sensormay be positioned and configured to image subsurface features of thetarget region 114, such as vasculature of the target region 114, whichcan be affected by a fluid spray from the spraying device 103. Examplesof suitable active distance sensors include an acoustic sensor that isconfigured to output an acoustic signal to the target region 114 andreceive a reflected acoustic signal therefrom, an ultrasonic sensor thatis configured to output an ultrasonic signal to the target region 114and receive a reflected ultrasonic signal therefrom, an optical sensorthat is configured to output an optical signal to the target region 114and receive a reflected optical signal therefrom, or a radar device thatis configured to output an electromagnetic signal to the target region114 and receive a reflected electromagnetic signal therefrom.

The distance sensor 122 is positioned and configured to senseinformation at least related to a distance that the spray mechanism 102(e.g., the output orifice 108 of the adjustable spray nozzle 104) isfrom the target region 114 of the subject 116 and output one or moresensing signals 124 to the control electrical circuitry 118 indicative(e.g., encoding) of the information at least related to the distance.

In operation, the distance sensor 122 senses information at leastrelated to a distance that the spray mechanism 102 is from the targetregion 114 of the subject 116 and outputs the one or more sensingsignals 124 to the control electrical circuitry 118 indicative of theinformation at least related to the distance. The control electricalcircuitry 118 determines one or more operational characteristics of thespray mechanism 102 (e.g., adjustable spray nozzle 104, at least onereservoir 110, or the pump 120) to be adjusted at least partially basedon the information, adjusts the one or more operational characteristicsof the spray mechanism 102 at least partially based on the determinedone or more operational characteristics, and directs the adjusted spraymechanism 102 configured with the one or more adjusted operationalcharacteristics to spray the fluid 112 as a spray 126 onto the targetregion 114 responsive to the pump 120 delivering the fluid 112 to thespray mechanism 102. For example, the one or more operationalcharacteristics include at least one of pressure of the spray 126,droplet size of the spray 126, or geometry of the spray 126.

As further explained below, responsive to the one or more sensingsignals 124, the control electrical circuitry 118 may direct altering anumber of different operational characteristics of the spray mechanism102. For example, during operation, the control electrical circuitry 118may direct the adjustable spray nozzle 104 to alter a spray width of thespray 126 responsive to receiving the one or more sensing signals 124.As another example, during operation, the control electrical circuitry118 may direct the pump 120 to alter a fluid pressure of the fluid 112sprayed therefrom as the spray 126 responsive to receiving the one ormore sensing signals 124. Altering the fluid pressure may be effected byincreasing or decreasing the pressure exerted on the fluid 112 in thereservoir 110 by the pump 120. As yet another example, during operation,the control electrical circuitry 118 may direct the adjustable spraynozzle 104 to alter a fluid focus thereof responsive to receiving theone or more sensing signals 124. As yet another example, duringoperation, the control electrical circuitry 118 may direct the spraymechanism 102 to alter a droplet size of the spray 126 responsive toreceiving the one or more sensing signals 124 by increasing ordecreasing the pressure exerted on the fluid 112 in the reservoir 110 bythe pump 120. As yet a further example, during operation, the controlelectrical circuitry 118 may direct adjusting the adjustable spraynozzle 104 to substantially maintain a target arrival diameter of thespray 126 responsive to receiving the one or more sensing signals 124.

The instructions that the control electrical circuitry 118 employs fordirecting and controlling operation of the spray mechanism 102, such asselected fluid focus, target arrival diameter, or other spraycharacteristics may be pre-programmed in the control electricalcircuitry 118 without user input or programmed by the user. For example,the programming may be effected via at least one of software, firmware,programmable logical devices, or other technique for controlling thespray mechanism 102 or components thereof in a selected manner.

In an embodiment, the control electrical circuitry 118 is configured todirect the spray mechanism 102 to stop spraying the fluid 112 responsiveto a specified operational condition. For example, the specifiedoperational condition includes at least one of spray time, the distancebeing outside a specified range as sensed by the distance sensor 122, orthe distance changing at a rate exceeding a maximum rate as sensed bythe distance sensor 122. In other embodiments, the control electricalcircuitry 118 directs the spray mechanism 102 to intermittently spraythe fluid 112 onto the target region 114. As previously discussed, thespecified operational conditions may be pre-programmed into the controlelectrical circuitry 118 or set by the user.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the fluid spraying apparatus 100 shownin FIG. 1 in which the distance sensor 122 thereof includes at least oneactive distance sensor 200 according to an embodiment. As previousdescribed, the active distance sensor 200 may include at least one of anacoustic sensor that is configured to output an acoustic signal to thetarget region 114 and receive a reflected acoustic signal therefrom, anoptical sensor that is configured to output an optical signal to thetarget region 114 and receive a reflected optical signal therefrom, or aradar device that is configured to output an electromagnetic signal tothe target region 114 and receive a reflected signal therefrom.

In operation, one or more active sensing signals 202 are output from theactive distance sensor 200 toward the target region 114 of the subject116. One or more affected sensing signals 204 are reflected from thetarget region 114 indicative of the distance of the spray mechanism 102from the target region 114. As previously discussed, the operation ofthe spray mechanism 102 may be controlled by the control electricalcircuitry 118 responsive to the active distance sensor 200 receiving theone or more affected sensing signals 204 and transmitting information atleast related to the distance to the control electrical circuitry 118based on the one or more affected sensing signals 204 as the one or moresensing signal 124.

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic diagram of the fluid spraying apparatus100 shown in FIG. 1 in which the output orifice 108 of the adjustablespray nozzle 104 is adjustable according to an embodiment. The sprayingdevice 103 includes an actuator 310 operably coupled to the adjustablespray nozzle 104 that is configured to alter a width W1 of the outputorifice 108. In one or more embodiments, the actuator 310 may include atleast one of a piezoelectric actuator, a shape-memory-alloy actuator, oran electromagnetic actuator that is configured to alter the width W1 ofthe output orifice 108 to thereby alter a width W2 of the spray 126emanating therefrom. For example, the actuator 310 may selectively drivea needle assembly or other obstruction feature within the fluid deliverypassageway 106 that either physically or operationally alters the widthW1 of the output orifice 108. In another embodiment, the actuator 310may increase or decrease the width W1 by deploying or un-deploying anaperture cover or other obstruction feature.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are partial schematic diagram and plan views,respectively, of the spray mechanism 102 of the fluid spraying apparatus100 shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment. The adjustable spraynozzle 104 includes a plurality of output orifices 108 a-108 n throughand from which the fluid 112 is sprayed during operation. In theillustrated embodiment, the plurality of output orifices 108 a-108 n maybe circumferentially distributed, but other configurations may beemployed. Each of the plurality of output orifices 108 a-108 n is influid communication with a corresponding fluid conduit 400 a-400 n, allof which may be collectively in fluid communication with the one or morefluid conduits 121 coupled to the reservoir 110.

During operation, a droplet size of droplets 402 sprayed from theplurality of output orifices 108 a-108 n may be controlled by varyingthe pressure of the fluid 112 pumped to the corresponding fluid conduits400 a-400 n associated with each of the plurality of output orifices 108a-108 n responsive to the one or more sensing signals 124 (FIG. 1). Forexample, increasing the pump pressure from the pump 120 may decrease thedroplet size of the droplets 402, while decreasing the pump pressurefrom the pump 120 may relatively increase the droplet size of thedroplets 402.

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic diagram of the fluid spraying apparatus100 shown in FIG. 1 in which a heating or cooling element 500 isprovided for heating or cooling the fluid 112 held in the reservoir 110according to an embodiment. The heating or cooling element 500 isdisposed in the reservoir 110, and operably coupled to the controlelectrical circuitry 118 which controls the heating or cooling thereofso that a temperature of the fluid 112 may be selectively and accuratelycontrolled responsive to the one or more sensing signals 124 receivedfrom the distance sensor 122. For example, the heating or coolingelement 500 may include at least one of a resistance heating element, aPeltier cell, or other suitable heating element. A temperature sensor502 (e.g., a thermal couple or infrared temperature sensor) may also beprovided for measuring a temperature of the fluid 112 during or afterheating thereof. The temperature sensor 502 is also operably coupled tothe control electrical circuitry 118.

During operation, the control electrical circuitry 118 may direct theheating element 500 to controllably heat or cool the fluid 112 to aselected temperature as measured by the temperature sensor 502. In anembodiment, the heating or cooling of the fluid 112 by the heating orcooling element 500 may be responsive to the one or more sensing signals124 received from the distance sensor 122. For example, if the distancesensed by the distance sensor 122 exceeds a certain distance, thecontrol electrical circuitry 118 may direct the heating or coolingelement 500 to increase the temperature of the fluid 112 to be sprayed.Conversely, if the distance sensed by the distance sensor 122 is below acertain distance, the control electrical circuitry 118 may direct theheating or cooling element 500 to decrease the temperature of the fluid112 to be sprayed. In an embodiment, the heating or cooling of the fluidby the heating element 500 is not responsive to the one or more sensingsignals 124 received from the distance sensor 122, but may be responsiveto user input via a user interface (e.g., a keypad, touch screen, etc.).

When the fluid spraying apparatus 100 is to be used for treatinginternal body tissue of the subject 116, all or some components of thefluid spraying apparatus 100 may compactly disposed in a deliverycatheter. FIG. 6 is a partial schematic diagram of the fluid sprayingapparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 in which the spraying device 103 and thedistance sensor 122 are integrated with each other for ease of deliveryinside a body lumen 600 of the subject 116 according to an embodiment.For example, the distance sensor 122 may be mounted to an exterior 602of the adjustable spray nozzle 104 of the spraying device in a suitableposition so that the distance sensor 122 has an appropriate“field-of-view” of the target region 114 of the subject 116. Theintegrated assembly of the spraying device 103 and the distance sensor122 may be compactly disposed within a delivery catheter 604 fordeployment in the body lumen 400 of the subject 116. For example, thedelivery catheter 604 including the integrated assembly of the sprayingdevice 103 and the distance sensor 122 may be deployed in the body lumen600 using the Seldinger technique or other suitable technique. Forexample, the body lumen 600 may be defined by a wall of a vein, bloodvessel, organ, or any other portion of the body of the subject 116.

FIG. 7 is schematic diagram of an embodiment of a fluid sprayingapparatus 700 that includes both at least one distance sensor and atarget designation unit for assisting with accurate targeting of thetarget region 114 of the subject 116. For example, the targetdesignation unit may act in concert with the distance sensor to assistwith accurate targeting of the target region 114 of the subject 116. Inthe interest of brevity, components in both fluid spraying apparatuses100 and 700 that are identical or similar to each other have beenprovided with the same reference numerals and an explanation of theirstructure and function will not be repeated unless the componentsfunction differently in the fluid spraying apparatuses 100 and 700.

Like the fluid spraying apparatus 100, the fluid spraying apparatus 700is suitable for spraying a medically suitable fluid onto a target regionof a subject for variety of uses, such as for treating or removingtissue of the subject. However, the fluid spraying apparatus 700 furtherincludes a target designation unit 702 including a target sensor 704that is configured to sense the target region 114 of the subject 116,and a user interface 706 operably coupled to the control electricalcircuitry 118. For example, the user interface 706 may include asuitable user interface, such as a keypad, touch screen, voice command,etc. The target sensor 704 may include one or more of various types oftarget sensors, such as at least one of a motion sensor (e.g., a MEMSgyroscope) or an image sensor (e.g., an electronic camera). As will bediscussed in more detail below, the target designation unit 702 mayoperate in concert with the distance sensor 122 to accurately target thetarget region 114 of the subject 116.

In an embodiment, the user interface 706 is configured to enable a userto designate the target region 114, which is communicated to the controlelectrical circuitry 118. The target sensor 704 is configured to sensethe target region 114 of the subject 116 and communicate one or moretarget sensing signals 708 to the control electrical circuitry 118 anddisplayed on the user interface 706, such as via an image on a screen.The user may select and designate all or a portion of the target region114 sensed by the target sensor 704 via the user interface 706.Responsive to the user selecting the target region 114 via the userinterface 706, the control electrical circuitry 118 may activate thepump 120 for directing the spray mechanism 102 to spray the spray 126onto the designated target region 114.

In an embodiment, the user interface 706 is configured for the user todesignate the target region 114 responsive to the spray mechanism 102spraying the target region 114. In an embodiment, the user interface 706is configured for the user to designate the target region 114 as correctresponsive to the spray mechanism 102 spraying the target region 114. Insuch an embodiment, the control electrical circuitry 118 activates andmaintains the spray mechanism 102 spraying the spray 126 on the targetregion 114 responsive to the target region 114 being designated ascorrect by the user.

As discussed above, in an embodiment, the target sensor 704 may includea motion sensor configured to sense motion of the spray mechanism 102and output the one or more target sensing signals 708 encoding datarelated to the sensed motion to the control electrical circuitry 118. Insuch an embodiment, the control electrical circuitry 118 may beconfigured to instruct the spray mechanism 102 to direct the spray 126onto the target region 114 responsive to the data. For example, as themotion of the spray mechanism 102 is sensed, the operationalcharacteristics of the spray mechanism 102 may be appropriately adjustedby the control electrical circuitry 118, as needed or desired, so thatthe spray 126 accurately targets the desired target region 114responsive to the sensed motion of the spray mechanism 102. For example,the adjustable spray nozzle 104 may be steered to account for motion ofthe spray mechanism 102. In some embodiments, the control electricalcircuitry 118 includes memory configured to store the data related tothe sensed motion for further review or analysis at a later time.

In an embodiment, the control electrical circuitry 118 is configured todirect the spray mechanism 102 to stop spraying fluid responsive to aspecified operational condition. For example, the specified operationalcondition may include at least one of spray time, tissue damage sensedby the target sensor 704, the distance being outside a specified rangeas sensed by the distance sensor 122, or the distance changing at a rateexceeding a maximum rate as sensed by the distance sensor 122.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a fluid sprayingapparatus 800 including a temperature sensor 802 configured to sense atemperature of the target region 114. In the interest of brevity,components in both fluid spraying apparatuses 100 and 800 that areidentical or similar to each other have been provided with the samereference numerals and an explanation of their structure and functionwill not be repeated unless the components function differently in thefluid spraying apparatuses 100 and 800.

The temperature sensor 802 may be configured to sense a temperature ofthe target region 114 and communicate the temperature to the controlelectrical circuitry 118 via one or more temperature sensing signals804. For example, the temperature sensor 802 may be an infrared sensoror other suitable device configured to measure temperature of the targetregion 114 without physically contacting the target region 114. Thecontrol electrical circuitry 118 is configured to direct the spraymechanism 102 to spray the fluid 112 onto the target region 114responsive to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 802. Forexample, in an embodiment, the control electrical circuitry 118 isconfigured to direct the spray mechanism 102 to spray the fluid 112 onthe target region 114 until a selected temperature is sensed by thetemperature sensor 802. In an embodiment, this embodiment, may becombined with the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 so that the temperature ofthe fluid 112 may be cooled or heated (as appropriate) via the heatingor cooling element 500 to enable imposing the selected temperature onthe target region 114.

In an embodiment, the temperature sensor 802 may be remote from thespray mechanism 102 and the spraying device 103. In other embodiments,the temperature sensor 802 may be integrated (e.g., mounted) with thespraying device 103.

In an embodiment, the control electrical circuitry 118 is configured todirect the spray mechanism 102 to stop spraying the fluid 112 responsiveto a specified operational condition. For example, the specifiedoperational condition may include at least one of spray time, time thattarget region 114 is at a selected temperature as sensed by thetemperature sensor 802, the distance being outside a specified range assensed by the distance sensor 122, or the distance changing at a rateexceeding a maximum rate as sensed by the distance sensor 122.

In an embodiment, the control electrical circuitry 118 is configured todirect the spray mechanism 102 to spray the fluid 112 on the targetregion 114 so that a selected temperature profile is imposed on thetarget region 114. Such a temperature profile may be measured by thetemperature sensor 802, which may be configured as a microwavetemperature sensor that outputs microwave energy and determines thetemperature from the reflected and/or absorbed microwave energy. Forexample, the temperature profile may be a three-dimensional temperatureprofile, a temperature-time profile, a temperature-depth profile, or atemperature-time-depth profile.

The temperature profile may be controlled or imposed by varioustechniques. For example, the control electrical circuitry 118 may beconfigured to direct adjusting the adjustable spray nozzle 104 to alterat least one of a spray rate of the fluid 112 or a pulse spray frequencyof the fluid 112 for controlling the selected temperature profile.

In other embodiments, the operation of the spray mechanism 102 may beterminated responsive to feedback from the temperature sensor 802 orother additional sensors. For example, the control electrical circuitry118 may terminate operation of the spray mechanism 102 responsive to atleast one of temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 802, tissuedamage of the target region 114 sensed by an additional sensor (e.g., animage sensor, or chemical sensor), or optical characteristics of thetarget region sensed by an optical sensor (e.g., an infrared sensor).

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a fluid sprayingapparatus 900 including a plurality of reservoirs 902 a-902 n from whichfluid may be selectively sprayed onto the target region 114 of thesubject 116. In the interest of brevity, components in both fluidspraying apparatuses 100 and 900 that are identical or similar to eachother have been provided with the same reference numerals and anexplanation of their structure and function will not be repeated unlessthe components function differently in the fluid spraying apparatuses100 and 900.

Each of the plurality of reservoirs 902 a-902 n may hold a correspondingfluid 904 a-904 n therein that may have a different composition ormaintained at a different temperature. For example, the fluids 904 a-904n held in the corresponding reservoirs 902 a-902 n may be chosen fromany of the fluids disclosed herein for the fluid 112, such as a liquid,a gas, an aerosol, a cryogen, or a fluid having a temperature greaterthan about 45° C. (i.e., a pyrofluid). Each of the reservoirs 902 a-902n may be operably coupled to the pump 120. Fluid conduits 906 a-906 nmay fluidly couple the fluids 904 a-904 n in the correspondingreservoirs 902 a-902 n to the fluid delivery passageway 106 of theadjustable spray nozzle 104 via a common fluid conduit 908.

The pump 120 may be operably coupled to each of the reservoirs 902 a-902n via corresponding valves 910 a-910 n. For example, each of the valves910 a-910 n may be electronically-actuatable valves that may beselectively electronically actuated by the control electrical circuitry118.

In operation, responsive to the one or more sensing signals 124generated by the distance sensor 122, the control electrical circuitry118 may selectively actuate the valves 910 a-910 n so that the fluids904 a-904 n in the corresponding reservoirs 902 a-902 n may beselectively pumped by the pump 120 to the fluid delivery passageway 106of the adjustable spray nozzle 104 via the common fluid conduit 908.

For example, in an embodiment, the fluids 904 a-904 n may besequentially sprayed onto the target region 114. In a more detailedembodiment, the fluid 904 a may be cryogen, while the fluids 904 b and904 n may be pyrofluids maintained at different respective temperatures.In such an embodiment, the pyrofluids may first be sequentially sprayedonto the target region 114 followed by spraying the cryogen or viceversa.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an operating method 1000that may be implemented using any of the fluid spraying apparatusesdisclosed herein, such as the fluid spraying apparatuses described inrelation to FIGS. 1-9. The method 1000 is directed to a method ofadjusting a spray mechanism of a fluid spraying apparatus. The method1000 includes an act 1002 of sensing, with a distance sensor (e.g., thedistance sensor 122), information at least related to a distance to atarget region of a subject. The method 1000 further includes an act 1004of at least partially based on the information, adjusting the spraymechanism (e.g., the adjustable spray nozzle 104 or the pump 120) and anact 1006 of spraying fluid onto the target region from the adjustedspray mechanism. For example, as previously discussed, the target regionmay be internally or externally located on the subject.

In an embodiment, the act 1002 of sensing may include sensing theinformation with an active distance sensor. In other embodiments, theact 1002 of sensing may include sensing the information with a passivedistance sensor. In an embodiment, the method 1000 further includesheating the fluid prior to being sprayed responsive to the distancesensed.

In an embodiment, the act 1004 of adjusting the spray mechanism mayinclude at least one of adjusting the spray nozzle to alter a spraywidth of the fluid to be sprayed, adjusting the spray mechanism includesadjusting the spray mechanism to alter a fluid pressure of the fluid tobe sprayed, adjusting the spray mechanism to alter a focus of the spraynozzle, adjusting the spray mechanism to alter a droplet size of thefluid to be sprayed, or adjusting the spray mechanism to substantiallymaintain a target arrival diameter of the fluid sprayed as the distancechanges.

In another embodiment that may be used in combination with any of theforegoing adjusting techniques, the act 1006 of spraying fluid mayinclude spraying fluid onto the target region from the adjusted spraymechanism intermittently or with a substantially constant spray. Inother embodiments, the act 1006 of spraying fluid onto the target regionfrom the adjusted spray mechanism may include sequentially sprayingcryogen and a pryrofluid onto the target region, such as previouslydescribed in connection with the embodiment shown in FIG. 9.

In an embodiment, the act 1004 of adjusting the spray mechanism mayinclude (1) determining one or more operational characteristics of thespray mechanism (e.g., the spray nozzle or pump) to be adjusted at leastpartially based on the distance; (2) adjusting the one or moreoperational characteristics of the spray mechanism at least partiallybased on the determined one or more operational characteristics; and (3)directing the spray mechanism having the one or more adjustedoperational characteristics to spray the fluid onto the target region.

In an embodiment, the method 1000 may further include employing a targetdesignation unit to assist with accurately targeting the target regionwith the spray of fluid. For example, the method 1000 may furtherinclude sensing the target region with a target designation unit (e.g.,the target designation unit 702), designating the target region, andspraying the fluid onto the target region responsive to the targetregion being designated.

In another embodiment, the act 1006 of spraying the fluid onto thetarget region may be responsive to feedback from a temperature sensor.For example, the method 1000 may further include an act of sensing atemperature of the target region of the subject with a temperaturesensor, and the act 1006 may include spraying the fluid onto the targetregion responsive to the temperature being sensed.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system 1100including a fluid spraying apparatus 1102 having a spraying device 1103and a computer 1104 for controlling the fluid spraying apparatus 1102.The system 1100 further includes at least one distance sensor 1106 andan optional target designation unit 1108 and an optional temperaturesensor 1110. The distance sensor 1106, the target designation unit 1108,and the temperature sensor 1110 are structured and function the same orsimilar to those components previously described in relation to FIGS. 1,2, 7, and 8. For example, the distance sensor 1106 may output one ormore distance sensing signals 1112 indicative of a distance that thefluid spraying apparatus 1102 is from a target region, the targetdesignation unit 1108 may output one or more target sensing signals1114, the temperature sensor 1110 may output one or more temperaturesensing signals 1116 indicative of a temperature of the target region.The spraying device 1103 may be configured as any of the sprayingdevices disclosed herein.

The distance sensor 1106, the target designation unit 1108, and thetemperature sensor 1110 may be remote from the fluid spraying apparatus1102 or may integrated with the fluid spraying apparatus 1102.Additionally, the distance sensor 1106, the target designation unit1108, and the temperature sensor 1110 may be wirelessly coupled orelectrically coupled via a wired connection to the computer 1104.

The computer 1104 may be any suitable desktop computer, laptop computer,or other suitable computing platform, which is operably coupled to thefluid spraying apparatus 1102 and the distance sensor 1106, the optionaltarget designation unit 1108, and the optional temperature sensor 1110.The computer 1104 may include at least one processor 1118 and memory1120 storing instructions that when executed by the processor 1118activates the fluid spraying apparatus 1102 (e.g., the spraying device1103 of the fluid spraying apparatus 1102) responsive to receiving theone or more distance sensing signals 1112, the optional one or moretarget sensing signals 1114, or the optional one or more temperaturesensing signals 1116.

In an embodiment, the computer 1104 may be remote from the fluidspraying apparatus 1102, such as in another room or another section ofthe same room. In an embodiment, the computer 1104 may be integratedwith the fluid spraying apparatus 1102 similar to the manner in whichthe control electrical circuitry 118 forms part of the fluid sprayingapparatus 100.

The instructions stored in the memory 1120 may be for implementing anyof the modification/adjusting of the spray mechanism 1103 operationalcharacteristics as previously discussed in the embodiments shown anddescribed in FIGS. 1-10. For example, the memory 1120 may includeinstructions that when executed by the at least one processor 1118 causethe fluid spraying apparatus 1102 to perform any of the method describedin connection with FIG. 10. As such, the control electrical circuitry118 previously discussed may be considered to constitute part of or allof the processor 1118 and the memory 1120. For example, responsive tothe one or more distance sensing signals 1112, the computer 1104 maydirect altering a number of different operational characteristics of thefluid spraying apparatus 1102. For example, during operation, thecomputer 1104 may direct the spraying device 1103 to alter a spray widthof the spray responsive to receiving the one or more distance sensingsignals 1112. For example, during operation, the computer 1104 maydirect the fluid spraying apparatus 1102 to alter a fluid pressure ofthe fluid sprayed responsive to receiving the one or more distancesensing signals 1112. As another example, during operation, the computer1104 may direct the spraying device 1103 to alter a fluid focus thereofresponsive to receiving the one or more distance sensing signals 1112.As yet another example, during operation, the computer 1104 may directthe fluid spraying apparatus 1102 to alter a droplet size of the sprayresponsive to receiving the one or more distance sensing signals 1112 byincreasing or decreasing the applied pressure exerted on the fluid to besprayed.

The reader will recognize that the state of the art has progressed tothe point where there is little distinction left between hardware andsoftware implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware orsoftware is generally (but not always, in that in certain contexts thechoice between hardware and software can become significant) a designchoice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. The reader willappreciate that there are various vehicles by which processes and/orsystems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected(e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferredvehicle will vary with the context in which the processes and/or systemsand/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementerdetermines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer mayopt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, ifflexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly softwareimplementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt forsome combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, thereare several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devicesand/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none ofwhich is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to beutilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehiclewill be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, orpredictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. The readerwill recognize that optical aspects of implementations will typicallyemploy optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts,and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/orexamples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will beunderstood by those within the art that each function and/or operationwithin such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment,several portions of the subject matter described herein may beimplemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), orother integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art willrecognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, inwhole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integratedcircuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or morecomputers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computersystems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors(e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors),as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designingthe circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmwarewould be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light ofthis disclosure. In addition, the reader will appreciate that themechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of beingdistributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that anillustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein appliesregardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used toactually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing mediuminclude, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type mediumsuch as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a DigitalVideo Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and atransmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analogcommunication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wiredcommunications link, a wireless communication link, etc.).

In a general sense, the various embodiments described herein can beimplemented, individually and/or collectively, by various types ofelectro-mechanical systems having a wide range of electrical componentssuch as hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combinationthereof; and a wide range of components that may impart mechanical forceor motion such as rigid bodies, spring or torsional bodies, hydraulics,and electro-magnetically actuated devices, or virtually any combinationthereof. Consequently, as used herein “electro-mechanical system”includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry operably coupledwith a transducer (e.g., an actuator, a motor, a piezoelectric crystal,etc.), electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electricalcircuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit,electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integratedcircuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing deviceconfigured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computerconfigured by a computer program which at least partially carries outprocesses and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessorconfigured by a computer program which at least partially carries outprocesses and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forminga memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), electricalcircuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communicationsswitch, or optical-electrical equipment), and any non-electrical analogthereto, such as optical or other analogs. Those skilled in the art willalso appreciate that examples of electro-mechanical systems include butare not limited to a variety of consumer electronics systems, as well asother systems such as motorized transport systems, factory automationsystems, security systems, and communication/computing systems. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that electro-mechanical as used hereinis not necessarily limited to a system that has both electrical andmechanical actuation except as context may dictate otherwise.

In a general sense, the various aspects described herein which can beimplemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range ofhardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof can be viewedas being composed of various types of “electrical circuitry.”Consequently, as used herein “electrical circuitry” includes, but is notlimited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electricalcircuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit,electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integratedcircuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing deviceconfigured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computerconfigured by a computer program which at least partially carries outprocesses and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessorconfigured by a computer program which at least partially carries outprocesses and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forminga memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or electricalcircuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communicationsswitch, or optical-electrical equipment). The subject matter describedherein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or somecombination thereof.

The herein described components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects andthe discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake ofconceptual clarity. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplarsset forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to berepresentative of their more general classes. In general, use of anyspecific exemplar herein is also intended to be representative of itsclass, and the non-inclusion of such specific components (e.g., steps),devices, and objects herein should not be taken as indicating thatlimitation is desired.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, the reader can translate from the plural to the singularand/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the contextand/or application. The various singular/plural permutations are notexpressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures aremerely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can beimplemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality iseffectively “associated” such that the desired functionality isachieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve aparticular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each othersuch that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or“operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewedas being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but arenot limited to physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interactingcomponents and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactablecomponents.

In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as“configured to.” The reader will recognize that “configured to” cangenerally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-statecomponents and/or standby-state components, etc. unless context requiresotherwise.

In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as“configured to.” The reader will recognize that “configured to” cangenerally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-statecomponents and/or standby-state components, unless context requiresotherwise.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by theappended claims. In general, terms used herein, and especially in theappended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generallyintended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should beinterpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” shouldbe interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should beinterpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will befurther understood by those within the art that if a specific number ofan introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will beexplicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitationno such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, thefollowing appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases“at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations.However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply thatthe introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or“an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claimrecitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even whenthe same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “atleast one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or“an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one ormore”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used tointroduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number ofan introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense the convention (e.g., “asystem having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not belimited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and Ctogether, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a constructionis intended in the sense the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). Virtually any disjunctiveword and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether inthe description, claims, or drawings, should be understood tocontemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either ofthe terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will beunderstood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

With respect to the appended claims, the recited operations therein maygenerally be performed in any order. Examples of such alternateorderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered,incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or othervariant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. With respect tocontext, even terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or otherpast-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude suchvariants, unless context dictates otherwise.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, thevarious aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is: 1-47. (canceled)
 48. A method of adjusting a spraymechanism of a fluid spraying apparatus, comprising: sensing, with adistance sensor, information at least related to a distance to a targetregion of a subject; at least partially based on the information,adjusting the spray mechanism; and spraying fluid onto the target regionfrom the adjusted spray mechanism.
 49. The method of claim 48, whereinsensing, with a distance sensor, information at least related to adistance to a target region of a subject includes sensing theinformation with an active distance sensor.
 50. The method of claim 48,wherein sensing, with a distance sensor, information at least related toa distance to a target region of a subject includes sensing theinformation with a passive distance sensor.
 51. The method of claim 48,wherein adjusting the spray mechanism includes adjusting a spray nozzleof the spray mechanism to alter a spray width of the fluid to besprayed.
 52. The method of claim 48, wherein adjusting the spraymechanism includes adjusting the spray mechanism to alter a fluidpressure of the fluid to be sprayed.
 53. The method of claim 48, whereinadjusting the spray nozzle includes adjusting a spray nozzle of thespray mechanism to alter a focus of the spray nozzle.
 54. The method ofclaim 48, wherein adjusting the spray mechanism includes adjusting thespray mechanism to alter a droplet size of the fluid to be sprayed. 55.The method of claim 48, wherein adjusting the spray mechanism includesadjusting the spray mechanism to substantially maintain a target arrivaldiameter of the fluid sprayed as the distance changes.
 56. The method ofclaim 48, wherein adjusting the spray mechanism includes: determiningone or more operational characteristics of a spray nozzle of the spraymechanism to be adjusted at least partially based on the distance;adjusting the one or more operational characteristics of the spraynozzle at least partially based on the determined one or moreoperational characteristics; and directing the spray mechanism havingthe adjustable spray nozzle configured with the one or more adjustedoperational characteristics to spray the fluid onto the target region.57. The method of claim 48, wherein adjusting the spray mechanismincludes adjusting at least one of a spray width of the fluid sprayed, afluid pressure of the fluid sprayed, a fluid focus of the adjustablespray nozzle, or a droplet size of the fluid sprayed.
 58. The method ofclaim 48, wherein the fluid includes cryogen or a fluid having atemperature greater than about 45° C.
 59. The method of claim 58,wherein the cryogen includes at least one of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, afluorocarbon, ethynol, or ethanol.
 60. The method of claim 48, whereinthe fluid includes at least one of a liquid, a gas, or an aerosol. 61.The method of claim 48, further comprising heating or cooling the fluidprior to being sprayed responsive to the distance sensed.
 62. The methodof claim 48, further comprising wirelessly transmitting one or moresignals encoding the information related to the distance to controlelectrical circuitry of the fluid spraying apparatus.
 63. The method ofclaim 48, wherein spraying fluid onto the target region from theadjusted spray nozzle includes intermittently spraying the fluid ontothe target region.
 64. The method of claim 48, wherein the target regionis internally located in the subject.
 65. The method of claim 48,wherein the target region is externally located on the subject.
 66. Themethod of claim 48, further comprising: sensing the target region with atarget designation unit; designating the target region; and whereinspraying fluid onto the target region from the adjusted spray mechanismincludes spraying the fluid onto the target region responsive to thetarget region being designated.
 67. The method of claim 48, whereinspraying fluid onto the target region from the adjusted spray mechanismincludes sequentially spraying cryogen and a pryrofluid onto the targetregion.
 68. The method of claim 48, further comprising: sensing atemperature of the target region with a temperature sensor; adjustingthe spray mechanism responsive to the temperature sensed; and whereinspraying fluid onto the target region from the adjusted spray mechanismincludes spraying the fluid onto the target region responsive to thetemperature being sensed. 69-73. (canceled)
 74. A method of adjusting aspray mechanism of a fluid spraying apparatus, the method comprising:delivering the spray mechanism in a delivery catheter to a locationinside a subject; sensing, with a distance sensor, information at leastrelated to a distance to a target region of the subject; adjusting thespray mechanism, at least partially based on the information from thedistance sensor; and spraying fluid onto the target region from theadjusted spray mechanism through a single output orifice of a spraynozzle of the spray mechanism.
 75. The method of claim 74, whereindelivering the spray mechanism in the delivery catheter includesdelivering the spray mechanism internally inside the subject.
 76. Themethod of claim 74, wherein delivering the spray mechanism in thedelivery catheter includes housing at least the spray mechanism of thefluid spraying apparatus within the delivery catheter.
 77. The method ofclaim 74, wherein spraying fluid onto the target region from theadjusted spray mechanism through the single output orifice of a spraynozzle of the spray mechanism includes intermittently spraying the fluidonto the target region.
 78. The method of claim 74, wherein sprayingfluid onto the target region from the adjusted spray mechanism throughthe single output orifice of a spray nozzle of the spray mechanismincludes substantially continuously spraying the fluid onto the targetregion.
 79. The method of claim 74, wherein the fluid includes cryogenor a fluid having a temperature greater than about 45° C.
 80. The methodof claim 79, wherein spraying fluid onto the target region from theadjusted spray mechanism through the single output orifice of a spraynozzle of the spray mechanism includes alternating spraying thepyrofluid and the cryogen onto the target region.
 81. A method ofadjusting a spray mechanism of a fluid spraying apparatus the methodcomprising: sensing, with a distance sensor or a temperature sensor,information related to a distance or a temperature of a target region ofa subject; adjusting the spray mechanism, at least partially based onthe information sensed by the distance sensor or the temperature sensor;and spraying fluid onto the target region from the adjusted spraymechanism.
 82. The method of claim 81, wherein sensing, with a distancesensor or a temperature sensor, information related to a distance or atemperature a target region of a subject includes sensing theinformation with at least one active sensor.
 83. The method of claim 81,wherein sensing, with a distance sensor or a temperature sensor,information related to a distance or a temperature of a target region ofa subject includes sensing the information with at least one passivesensor.
 84. The method of claim 81, wherein adjusting the spraymechanism includes: determining one or more operational characteristicsof a spray nozzle of the spray mechanism to be adjusted at leastpartially based on the distance or the temperature; adjusting the one ormore operational characteristics of the spray nozzle at least partiallybased on the determined one or more operational characteristics; anddirecting the spray mechanism having the spray nozzle configured withthe one or more adjusted operational characteristics to spray the fluidonto the target region.
 85. The method of claim 81, wherein adjustingthe spray mechanism includes adjusting the spray mechanism tosubstantially maintain a target arrival diameter of the fluid sprayed asthe distance or the temperature change.
 86. The method of claim 81,wherein, adjusting the spray mechanism includes heating or cooling thefluid prior to being sprayed responsive to the distance, temperature, orboth sensed.